St. John's restaurant Raymonds named by chefs as best in the country

TORONTO - A group of Canadian chefs has named Raymonds in St. John's, N.L., the country's best restaurant in the third-annual Vacay.ca Top 50 Restaurants in Canada Guide.

Raymonds, located in a historic building overlooking the city's harbour, offers a $135 seven-course tasting menu and a la carte entrees that include roasted cod for $45.

"Raymonds is continuing to develop Newfoundland regional cuisine, and doing so at a world-class level," said Montreal chef John Winter Russell, one of the judges.

Bar Isabel in Toronto came in second on the list, followed by Maison Publique in Montreal, and Farmer's Apprentice and Vij's, both in Vancouver.

Montreal led all cities with 12 selections in the Top 50. Toronto had 10, Vancouver seven and Calgary six.

The judges included Vikram Vij, a member of CBC's "Dragon's Den"; Connie Desousa, a season 3 "Top Chef Canada" judge; and Quebec TV host Patrice Demers of Montreal's Patrice Pâtissier. Food writers and industry professionals were also among those deciding the winners.